2010 Second Annual VIP (Very Innovative Products) Awards

Our 10 winners stood out from among the 1,650 products that the Good Housekeeping Research Institute evaluated in the past year. This year, we celebrate breakthroughs in beauty, cooking, outdoor gear, home entertainment, cleaning, and electronics.

Nikon Coolpix S1000PJ Camera

Nikon Coolpix S1000PJ Camera, $430

When the gang wants to see the pics you just snapped, it can be a drag to huddle around a teensy camera screen or take the time to upload images to a computer. This point-and-shoot camera is the first to include a built-in projector, capable of casting images that measure up to 40 inches diagonally. Features like 12.1 megapixels, 5x wide-angle zoom, and image stabilization (to keep shaky hands and moving objects from ruining the shots) help you capture clear, enlargement-worthy photos. This newfangled technology may bring back the old-fashioned family slide show. (nikonusa.com)

TravelChair and Cocoon Bunk Sack

Whether camping in the wilderness or sitting on the sidelines of your child's soccer game, you'll want this portable chair as your perch. An insect repellent embedded in the fabric keeps biting bugs from ruining your good time (and is also EPA-registered and appropriate for use by children and pregnant women). The bunk sack has been similarly treated, and can be used by itself or as a sleeping bag cover for a no-itch night under the stars. (travelchair.com)

Remington Frizz Therapy Straightening Iron

Remington Frizz Therapy Straightening Iron, $50

If you've desperately tried to tame your curly coif only to have tendrils spring up at the first hint of humidity, you'll want to try this new flat iron by Remington — the only one that has conditioning polymers covering the plates. These frizz-fighting substances coat and smooth the hair while the heat straightens it. In our tests, kinky locks stayed sleek for up to 15 hours — even after exposure to high heat and humidity. (stylewithremington.com)

Brondell Perfect Flush

Brondell Perfect Flush, $79

This simple system is the first to turn nearly any toilet into a water-saving dual-flush unit, for a fraction of the cost of buying a new one. And it will slash up to $100 per year off your water bill. Installation takes a half hour or less, even for an inexperienced DIYer. The two-sided button sits atop the tank or can be mounted to the side with double-stick tape. Press one side for a small flush, the other for a full flush (or any of 10 increments you can set). (brondell.com)

Fire Wire Flexible Grilling Skewer

Fire Wire Flexible Grilling Skewer, $15 for two

From the why-didn't-they-think-of-that-before? file: This 27-inch wire skewer makes cooking up kabobs virtually hassle-free. Meat and veggies slide right on, and the whole thing coils to fit easily into a bowl or resealable bag for marinating. Once the grill's going, the skewer can be snaked around other foods — no need to move burgers in order to make room for long, straight sticks. (amazon.com)

Dolby Volume from Dolby

Dolby Volume from Dolby, price varies

Annoyed by blaring commercials, deafening movie action sequences, or hushed dialogue that's impossible to decipher? Stop fiddling with the remote and listen up: Using complicated computer engineering, the folks at Dolby have developed a way to even out sound levels and eliminate your TV noise complaints for good. The Dolby Volume technology is currently built into most Toshiba Regza televisions ($1,300 to $2,400), but it's expected to become the standard in home entertainment audio (along with versions from competitors SRS Labs and Audyssey). We like the sound of that. (dolby.com)

Carbona 2 in 1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner

Carbona 2 in 1 Oven Rack and Grill Cleaner, $8

Grimy oven racks are a pain to wash (especially because you can't leave them in place during most ovens' self-cleaning cycles). And, after a season of barbecues, grill grates can be even worse. This simple kit lets you ditch the scrub brush and soak away the burned-on crud. The oversize plastic bag is roomy enough for two racks or grates — put them in, pour in the cleaner, and let sit overnight. Any residue that hasn't dissolved by that point can be sloughed right off with a scrubby sponge. (carbona.com)

HP Photosmart Premium with Touchsmart Web All-in-One Printer

HP Photosmart Premium with Touchsmart Web All-in-One Printer, $399

Passive printers are so passé. This new HP doesn't need a computer to tell it what to do: Using a wireless Internet connection, it can access a variety of specially designed Web applications (such as Google Maps, weather, and USA Today) through its own touchscreen control panel. Once you find the info you need (say, grocery coupons or movie tickets), just print and go. The machine also copies, scans, faxes, and produces high-quality photos...and, of course, speedily prints documents from a computer. (hp.com)

LG Steam Dishwashers

LG Steam Dishwashers, $1,049-$1,399

Do you run separate cycles for crusty pots and pans (which need powerful cleaning) and delicate glasses you want to protect from chipping? Or run a full wash cycle for stored dishes that are more dusty than dirty? Machines in this new LG line are the only ones that let you select different water-spray settings for the top and bottom racks. They're also the first to have a short steam-powered freshening cycle for quickly and gently cleansing china of dust and film — while using less than one-third the water of even the quick wash cycle. (lge.com)

Procter & Gamble Swiffer Sweeper

A GoodHousekeeping.com poll asked readers: Which product has stood the test of time and made a significant improvement in your daily life? The Swiffer Sweeper came out on top  and we're not surprised. It truly changed the way we clean. The cloth whisks up dust and hair better and faster than any broom bristles can, and with less hassle than hauling out the vacuum requires. Used with wet cloths, it's even an efficient mop stand-in. Plus, the low-profile head ducks under furniture. How did we live without it? (swiffer.com)

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